Arizona

As Trump celebrates birthday with military parade, Arizona protesters ‘build the resistance’

Published

9 months ago

June 15, 2025

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As Trump celebrates birthday with military parade, Arizona protesters ‘build the resistance’

Thousands of Arizonans protested President Trump in Phoenix on June 14, criticizing his behavior and policies.
Protesters expressed concerns about Trump’s actions, including his handling of immigration and threats to social programs.
Organizers aimed to build community and encourage local activism.

While military tanks prepared to roll down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., as part of President Donald Trump’s parade to celebrate the Army’s 250th Anniversary, a different army was building at the Arizona Capitol.

Thousands of Arizonans flooded the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and braved triple-degree heat on June 14. They gathered to protest Trump and draw attention to what they called his authoritarian and king-like behavior.

“He wants to be a pretend king, but he’s following all the rules of a dictator! And he’s slowing picking out people he wants us to villainize,” Randy Hamilton, 78, said.

Parents pushing their children in strollers and seniors with walkers chanted against the president and watched drag queens perform as music blasted in the background. They held signs that said things like, “Unpaid protester but I hate Trump for free,” and “No Crown for the Clown.”

At the same time, musicians and live entertainment took the stage in D.C. for the inaugural military parade.

The “No Kings Day of Defiance” in Phoenix was one of more than 2,000 planned events across the United States. The event was meant to poke fun at Trump as he kicked off an expensive parade on his 79th birthday.

Erica Connell, a liaison for the 50501 movement that helped organize the event, said it was meant to build community before the summer heat would make it too difficult.

“We’ll have more policy-driven events in the future, but right now, it’s just so broad that it’s about building the resistance. It’s about making sure that we have the numbers,” Connell said.

Elected officials like Phoenix Councilwoman Anna Hernandez spoke to the crowd from onstage, telling attendees “revolution” was the “acceptable response to fascism.”

“It is not for us to take a more moderate approach to policy. It is not to take a moderate approach to politics,” Hernandez yelled to an uproar of applause. “It is revolution, and it is to invest in our communities!”

‘I don’t want to lose our democracy’

Attendees almost uniformly gave the same response when asked what brought them out: opposition to Trump. He’s acting like he’s king, protesters told The Arizona Republic. Congress isn’t standing up against him. The courts aren’t doing enough to rein him in.

Swanson, 88 and from Ahwatukee, attended against the wishes of her adult children, who feared for her safety. Swanson said she felt like she had to go.

“I don’t want to lose our democracy. Something dramatic has to be done,” she said. Swanson’s neighbor, 66-year old Stephanie Drobatschewsky, felt the same. Drobatschewsky said both her parents were Holocaust survivors, and that Trump’s immigration round-ups reminded her of World War II Germany.

Robert Lang, 64, said he hoped the number of protests taking place across the country showed elected leaders that change was wanted.

Attendees repeatedly echoed each other in the changes they wanted to see: for Donald Trump to resign or be impeached; to stop threatening Social Security and Medicare; for more humane treatment of immigrants; to reject attacks against the U.S. Department of Education, PBS and National Public Radio.

Connell, a main planner of the Phoenix protest, said the overarching demand was to “uphold the constitution.”

Up next: resistance at the neighborhood level

Connell said organizers conceived of a carnival-themed event partially to “have fun making fun of (Trump) on his birthday” and also partially to attract families.

“We’ve had very specific goals in mind and growing the movement in our state by hitting those various demographics in what we’re doing,” Connell said.

Organizers planned educational events and wanted attendees to identify causes they cared about, then connect with groups working on those issues. They focused on “inspiring and teaching people how to become activists on their own corner,” Connell said, “because that’s how we’re trying to grow the movement.“

Hernandez, the Phoenix councilwoman known for fiery rhetoric, was added to the speaker list to give more of a rally feel. Her speech amplified the crowd as she spoke about Trump “hunting” the public.

“Let me be clear: He is hunting us,” Hernandez said. “From Palestinian protesters to students to immigrant communities, we are under attack. His ICE minions are in our neighborhoods, our stores, our workplaces and our homes.”

Parents: Protest can be positive and powerful at any age

South of the stage, kids played in bounce houses while grown men dressed in chicken costumes. They held signs saying “TACO,” a nod to the joke about tariffs that, “Trump always chickens out.”

Jules and Audra Nelson stayed near the stage with their three children, who were 10, 8 and 3. The Nelsons brought their two sons and daughter to show them that protest could be a positive and powerful force for change.

The kids had seen the protests in L.A. and Audra said she wanted them to understand “when people come together, it’s really positive.”

She said she wanted her kids to know they weren’t “bound by their age,” and that young people had been “key catalysts of the civil rights movement.”

“Resistance is little pieces at a time. It doesn’t have to be big. It can just be you saying, ‘I’m not OK with this,’” Audra said. “Sometimes we think we’re so small, but we are so big.”

Taylor Seely is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow at The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Do you have a story about the government infringing on your First Amendment rights? Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

Seely’s role is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

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Arizona

Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game

Published

30 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game

TEMPE – The Phoenix metro has not been kind to Arizona baseball through the first month of the season.

Arizona fell to rival ASU 10-4 on Tuesday night in front of a packed crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Wildcats clawed back after falling behind 6-1, but the Sun Devils closed the door in the late innings.

The nonconference game was the first of five matchups between the rivals, with the UA hosting a 3-game Big 12 Conference series in early April followed by one more non-league game in Tempe.

Arizona (6-10) is now 0-4 in the Phoenix area, with three losses coming in the opening weekend College Baseball Series in Surprise. Arizona dropped to 0-3 in midweek games.

Collin McKinney got the start for the Wildcats, allowing four earned runs on five hits and six strikeouts. McKinney conceded one run in the first inning but escaped out of a bases loaded jam. He looked sharp until giving up a 2-run homer to ASU’s Dean Toigo in the fourth inning.

“We saw the velocity at times. We saw the breaking stuff,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said. “It was very encouraging from us on our side for him.“

The Sun Devils tacked on three more runs in the fourth, including a 2-run blast from Landon Hairston off reliever Matthew Martinez.

Arizona answered in the sixth inning when sophomore catcher Roman Meyers drilled a 450-feet 3-run homer to bring the score to 6-4. It was Meyers’ third homer of the season.

“He always has a chance. He’s got massive power,” Hale said. “So if he hits it he has a chance for a home run.”

Arizona’s five through nine hitters combined for six of the team’s eight hits, led by 2-hit games from Caleb Danzeisen and Cash Brennan.

Arizona’s offense, however, couldn’t keep up with the Sun Devils, who added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull away. Wildcats pitchers gave up eight free bases on the night.

Arizona is back in action Friday when it begins Big 12 play at Utah. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.

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Arizona

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

Published

13 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.

Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.

At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.

But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.

ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.

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Arizona

What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.

A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:

New names on Cardinals roster this free agency

Kendrick Bourne

The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.

He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.

The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.

He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.

Isaac Seumalo

The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.

According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.

He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.

Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).

RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.

Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.

While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.

Familiar faces

L.J. Collier

Collier is back on a one-year deal.

The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.

He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.

Roy Lopez

After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.

In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).

K Chad Ryland

Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.

Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).

Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.

A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.

P Blake Gillikin

The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.

Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.

Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.

Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

RB James Conner

Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.

But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.

The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.

He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.

Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.

In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.

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